#kirby-yates

#kirby-yates

The veteran right-handed reliever was coming off a brilliant season with the Texas Rangers in which he sported a microscopic 1.17 ERA. The multi-time All-Star has a wealth of experience closing and in high-leverage spots. When the Dodgers inked him to a one-year deal worth $13 million, it was viewed as a move to further strengthen what was considered to be a very good bullpen.

It marks a third time Yates has been on the injured list this season and seemingly puts his availability for the playoffs in jeopardy. At minimum, he is guaranteed to miss when the Dodgers likely start the postseason in the Wild Card Series. Yates previously missed time from the middle of May into the first week of June because of a right hamstring strain.

He missed nearly a month due to that injury, and after being activated in early July he hit just .200/.290/.365 over 31 games before heading back to the IL due to his ailing hand. Chapman received a cortisone shot during this latest stint on the shelf, and both he and the Giants are surely hoping he'll be able to hit more like his first half self (.243/.360/.452 in 65 games) going forward.